The Farmer & The Belle (Baymoor Book 1) Read online

  “I’m sorry that I misled you last night, Georgina. For the record, it wasn’t an actual lie. My full name is Maxwell Jason Hayes,” he replied sincerely, watching as she rolled her eyes. But was he really sorry? Instinct told him that if he had stated who he really was, she still might not have been as friendly. Then on the dance floor she’d bewitched him with her sexiness and before he knew it, he was propositioning her, and she was saying yes.

  “So how does it feel to be back?” he tried to change the subject and saw her shoulders stiffen in response.

  “That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say about last night?” she whispered furiously, bristling with hostility. Last night he’d given her the best sex of her life, and while she had relived every touch, kiss, and caress since then, he appeared nonchalant, as if he did that sort of thing every damn day. Unbelievable. Then again, maybe it wasn’t; after all, she really didn’t know him. Maybe he did do it every day.

  The intense look Max gave her made her stop mid chew. It was hot and desire-filled as his eyes touched every part of her above the table. A shiver went down her spine, and Georgina felt her breasts swell in response and her nipples ached to be touched by him again.

  “I have plenty to say about last night. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it you who snuck out on me? You didn’t even leave a number where I could reach you. Please stop trying to act like you’re the injured party here, Georgina. We both know that if I had been some random stranger, you would have been home free.” Max took another bite of his burger before continuing, “But if you were honest with yourself, you weren’t looking for anything long term anyway.” At her puzzled look, he explained, “I noticed the way you hesitated over your name.”

  Georgina looked around before leaning in to whisper furiously, “That’s exactly the point! I wanted a random stranger, not somebody who I would run into while I’m here. If you already knew that I was lying about my name, why’d you continue to pursue it? That makes you the bigger deceiver. And according to my aunt who couldn’t stop singing your praises, you’re damn near like family! Gross!”

  Max raised an eyebrow. “We’re nowhere close to being blood-related, Georgina. I’m sorry for responding in that manner to you, but I’m not sorry for what happened. I had a good time and so did you. Now how long are you in town for?”

  “Why do you want to know so badly? I thought I made it clear that it’s none of your business,” she replied waspishly, piercing a plump shrimp with a vicious stab of her fork, she shoved it in her mouth, chewing viciously, but not tasting it. Georgina didn’t know who she was more pissed at: him, for being sneakier than her or herself for liking the way he said her name, in that low, rolling drawl.

  “Okay fine. What is it that you do, Georgina?” Max asked with a grin, liking her fire and sass. He wondered if she would smack him if he mentioned how adorable she looked when she was mad. “I mean, you already know that I’m a farmer, and that was the truth.”

  Georgina gave a sigh. “If you must know, I own an intimate apparel business called Feminine Intuition.”

  Max was impressed that she owned a lingerie apparel company, and it was one he was very familiar with. His companion in D.C. dressed in Georgina’s sexy pieces, and he’d liked them so much, Max had given her money to ensure that was what she was always dressed in whenever he visited. He thought about the sexy wisps of emerald lace he’d almost destroyed in his eagerness to get to her body. “If those were your designs last night, I have to say you are quite talented. Now tell me again how long you’re in town for?”

  “Look, I’m really not sure what your angle is here, but I’d rather not do this with you,” Georgina stated bluntly as she gathered her things, appetite now officially gone. “We had a one-night thing, and it was cool…if we were never going to see each other again. Unfortunately, we did, and now I want to forget the whole thing ever happened and just be on my merry way.”

  Max gave her an assessing gaze. “So you’re running away again?”

  She paused halfway out of her chair. “Excuse me?”

  “That’s what you do right?” Max watched as she plopped her tempting ass back in the chair and glared at him. “You run when you don’t like a situation or are unsure of yourself.” The look on her face told him he should quit while he was ahead, but old habits die hard, and Max was now in lawyer mode presenting facts. “You. Are. A. Runner. Last night we blazed hot enough to make the hotel catch fire. You couldn’t get enough of me as you rode my face and my dick, which I enjoyed every minute of, by the way. Then next thing I know, you took off and I honestly think it’s because you liked it as much as I did.”

  “You’ve got an over-inflated ego, Hayes. It wasn’t that good,” Georgina said dismissively, even though her face was flaming because she hadn’t just liked it, she’d loved it.

  Max watched as her fingernails tapped the table impatiently, but Georgina’s eyes remained focused on him as he leaned in close enough to be engulfed by the seductive scent of her flowery perfume. “Well if that’s the case, why do your eyes dilate whenever I reference last night? Or your breathing hitches and you lick your lips? What I don’t understand is why you’re being so weird about it? We were two consenting adults that had a great time together. I’d be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t interested in doing it again. Even now you’re all defensive and ready to escape this conversation because it’s too real for you. At least be honest with me. I believe I deserve it after you ran out with no explanation.”

  Georgina closed her eyes and vigorously rubbed her right thumb and index finger together because Max was right. There was no need for her to be such a bitch because she had some issues. Last night happened because she wanted it just as much as he did. She stilled and opened her eyes, swallowing audibly as his large hand covered hers, effectively stopping her nervous gesture. Max’s eyes were gentle.

  “Look, Georgina, I’m sorry if I’m backing you into a corner and coming on too strong. You don’t have to say anything, and I won’t bother you anymore,” he said quietly. “The town’s not that big so we’re bound to run into each other. You don’t have to worry about me saying anything about last night either.”

  Max pulled his hand back and stood up. Silently Georgina watched as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He selected a twenty-dollar bill and placed it on the table between their plates for Chandra. Then he gave Georgina a smile that she instantly hated. It wasn’t like his previous heart-stopping, panty-wetting smiles that translated into “I will ruin you for anyone else”. No, this one was very different. It screamed, “Yikes! I had no idea you were so damaged.”

  “Yeah, see you around,” she mumbled even as her lady parts wept with sadness at his retreat. He turned to leave and Georgina forced herself to watch him walk away. She frowned as she noticed she wasn’t the only one. So was every other female in the room it would seem. The young and old were not averse to Max’s sex appeal. It appeared she wasn’t the only one to notice that perfectly sculpted ass filling out his jeans. Or the sinewy muscles of his forearms. Several of the female co-workers, including the trio Raymond had yelled at earlier, leaned over the counter, ogling Max as he left. Georgina scowled, fairly certain that Aunt Val would not approve of this type of behavior from the employees. That’s all I’m concerned about; she tried to tell herself unconvincingly.

  Max watched Georgina’s reflection in the glass doors as he left. In her facial expression, he saw all the frustration and pent-up desire he, too, was feeling. He waited until he was out the door to allow himself a smile of triumph. Max hadn’t gotten to where he was in life by sitting around waiting for shit to happen. Georgina was throwing up unnecessary roadblocks and preventing them from what they both wanted in this cock-block game of denial. He planned to bust through every one of them with the force of an army tank, and he almost felt sorry that she didn’t get the memo that Max Hayes didn’t just play to win; he played for keeps.

  ***

  Her
childhood home looked just the same as she remembered. Still hanging from the thickest branch of the big maple tree in the front yard was the swing Uncle Nate had installed for her. Georgina knew for a fact that on nice days, he still pushed Aunt Val on that swing just as patiently as he had done for her when she was little.

  The two-story bungalow had a fresh coat of light gray paint. The shutters were painted white. The steps leading up the porch were navy and lined with chartreuse colored ceramic pots filled with large, gorgeous jade succulents. The front door was painted a bright mint green. The porch had a small bistro-style table with two chairs on one end. There was also a small settee next to it and a tiny end table that had a small radio at the other end surrounded by rose bush trellises. When she was little, Georgina would sit and watch her aunt and uncle dance on the porch. Uncle Nate would always save the last dance for her and let her stand on his feet. It was one of her first real memories of what real love looked like. Not that she would ever have anything like that. Georgina had decided long ago to keep her heart under lock, stock and barrel. Love just wasn’t worth all the pain and drama that accompanied it.

  Suddenly overwhelmed by the emotions of being back and her encounters with Max; Georgina felt exhausted. She sat down on the steps and looked out at the neighborhood. There were kids of all ages walking home from school. An elderly group of ladies were speed walking in garish pink jackets. She searched the groups of laughing, smiling faces but couldn’t find one that was miserable and eager to be anywhere but right where they were in Baymoor. The load of guilt that she was carrying grew bigger.

  Suddenly the air was filled with the lyrics to Run DMC’s “Tricky”, causing the activity on the street to stop as everyone noticed her sitting there. Quickly she rummaged in her bag to silence her phone. Suspicious glares from the elderly and the curious faces of the kids made her want to crawl into the bushes as they slowly walked towards her. Georgina finally located her phone and answered it, her eyes surveying the crowd that had now gathered by the bottom step.

  “Hi, Graham; now’s not a good time. Call you later,” she said quickly before disconnecting her brother who’d barely had time to return her greeting. Georgina smiled politely at the group as she stood up. They did not smile back. Hmmm, definitely not a good sign. Suddenly an elderly lady who greatly resembled Mrs. Claus with her hair braided on top of her head in a white bun and full, round cheeks stepped forward. Her rainbow fanny pack clashing with her pink jacket. She smiled kindly while rummaging in the fanny pack and Georgina thought that perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad. All of a sudden her hand came out and Georgina found herself staring down at a small lethal-looking compact Taser, pointed directly at her.

  “Who the hell are you? Ida, call the sheriff and let him know we have an intruder skulking about the Bankses residence,” barked the grandmotherly figure. The one named Ida she presumed, whipped out an iPhone and gave Georgina a glare while she complied with the dragon lady’s command.

  “I’m going to take her picture also so we can let the rest of the Neighborhood Watch know we have a suspicious figure skulking about,” Ida added and snapped a picture of Georgina’s outraged face before dutifully making the call.

  “Cool! Mrs. Laurent is going to Taser the dangerous stranger!” a redheaded boy with freckles said enthusiastically.

  “Ms. Ida, can you please take a picture of her face when she falls and send it to my mom’s email?” a small girl with afro-puffs asked politely. “I want to have her print it for my show and tell tomorrow.” The other kid’s murmured in agreement.

  “I am so posting to Facebook,” a tall punk rock-looking teen with a platinum mohawk said, whipping out his phone to update his status. “No, wait…Snapchat first.”

  “Could you start the tasing at a low level then slowly crank it up?” another teen wearing a beret inquired, as he pulled out a notebook and colored pencils. “I’m an artist and would like to capture her expressions.”

  “Ten, nine, eight, and seven…” Ms. Laurent counted down. Georgina had had enough.

  “Would you crazy people just calm down?!” she shouted. “My name is Georgina Carlton, and I am the niece of Nate and Valerie Banks! Please call the sheriff. I would love to tell him how you came on private property and threatened me with a deadly weapon, which I am pretty sure is illegal for someone like you to have.” Her chest was heaving as she glared at the old bat.

  Silently they all looked at her with varying shades of doubt before glancing at their fearless leader who said, “I don’t believe you.”

  Georgina gritted her teeth in frustration. Damn nosy, gossipy busybodies. This was one of the reasons she didn’t like small towns. Ida turned to murmur something into her phone before hanging up. “Sheriff Holloway is on his way to a meeting but is sending Max Hayes over.

  Great. The last thing Georgina needed was another encounter with the sexy farmer. Her nerves wouldn’t be able to take it.

  “Would a stranger have a key to this house with a picture of Nate and Valerie on her keychain?” she growled, holding up her keys.

  Suddenly a beat-up looking Toyota pulled up along the sidewalk and screeched to a halt. The driver’s side opened and Max Hayes stepped out. Their eyes met and her stomach clenched before dropping to her feet. He surveyed the scene of her being trapped on the front porch by the mixed mob of elderly and youth. A slow smile spread across his face as he took his time strolling up to join the group. As pissed as she was, Georgina could still find time to appreciate the fluid ease with which he moved. When he finally reached them, he gave the kids high-fives and tipped his hat at the group of ladies. Immediately they went from hostile to simpering marshmallows as he flashed his gorgeous grin at them, and Georgina rolled her eyes.

  “What seems to be the problem here?” he asked smoothly addressing Mrs. Laurent while keeping his eyes on Georgina. He took in her flushed cheeks, narrowed eyes, and heaving chest. Her clenched hands at her sides gave him the feeling she wanted to pop Mrs. Laurent or him or maybe both of them.

  “Max dear, always a pleasure to see you! Our group, The Spring Chickens, was out doing our daily walk and monitoring the neighborhoods for anything or anyone that looked suspicious,” she stopped to cut her eyes at Georgina. “All of a sudden we heard loud, violent rap music blaring from the porch and saw this stranger attempting to case the house. Now, she is claiming to be a relative of Nathaniel and Valerie’s, but I’ve never seen or heard of her. Has anyone else?” she addressed the group, and they collectively shook their heads no in disapproval.

  Max looked at Georgina with one eyebrow raised. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. She’d had enough for one day— Uncle Nate in the hospital, the thought of Aunt Valerie being alone and scared, the disapproval of the townspeople and their precious Max it was just… too much. She could feel the sting of tears at the back of her eyes but would be damned if she cried in front of these lunatics. She raised her chin and looked at Max as she pointed her finger at the group, refusing to address them directly.

  “I will let you deal with this. It’s been a challenging day so far, and I just want to get settled in. If they are not gone in the next five minutes I will either A: call the sheriff, state police, and CNN news to let everyone know how idealistic, quaint, picturesque, Baymoor with their FINE, UPSTANDING, CITIZENS treat people who come to visit their town. Or B: get my gun and bust caps into old, wrinkled asses,” she finished, smiling sweetly at him. Max’s broad shoulders shook with silent laughter as the elderly women gasped in outrage and the children’s mouths fell open in shock. “I would prefer option A; but trust and believe, I’m totally fine with option B.”

  And without a backward glance, she then turned, walked over to the door, unlocked it, entered, and slammed it as hard as she could.

  Chapter Six

  Once inside Georgina immediately felt calmer as she took in the familiarity of her childhood home. Throughout the years, Valerie had sent her emails with colors, furniture, and fab
rics, asking her opinion. In addition to being co-owner of The Comfort Table, she was also an interior designer who freelanced when she wasn’t working at the cafe. Their home was decorated beautifully in modern styles designed for comfort with jewel toned accents like sapphire, amethyst, and peridot throughout. Family pictures were framed and placed in every room.

  Georgina took her time looking at them. There were so many she’d never seen before— her mother and uncle when they were younger, the grandparents that she’d never met. Her eyes lingered on the ones of Ingrid looking so innocent and Graham and Eliza looking carefree and happy, the way children should look. Aunt Valerie was adamant of having only good vibes in their space and the pictures represented the happy times in their family. To remind them that everything had not been a nightmare. There were none of her father, Russell Carlton. Shocker. The pictures brought tears to Georgina’s eyes, and she wiped them away before going upstairs to her old room.